Posts Tagged ‘Back-to-School’

2016 Tax Free Holiday Is Aug. 5-Aug. 7

This weekend when you are out back-to-school shopping, don’t be afraid to fill the cart with a little bit more! Friday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 7 is Ohio’s sales tax holiday! Read on to find out which items will be exempt from sales and use tax. Don’t forget to share this post and/or this photo to remind friends and family of this event!

Will you be one of the many shoppers flooding stores this weekend in search of some great back-to-school bargains? If so, then your shopping trip got a whole lot better! This year’s Sales Tax Holiday will take place Friday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 7.

Without the burden of paying sales tax on a variety of items, shoppers will be able to make their dollars go a little further, which is especially great for those looking to fill their closets with the latest back-to-school fashions and their desks with school-time necessities.

This year during the sales-tax holiday, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation, the following items will be exempt from sales and use tax:

Clothing priced at $75 per item or less;

School supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and

School instructional material priced at $20 per item or less.

If you have Sales Tax Holiday questions, including how the tax free holiday works, how coupons and discounts are handled, and what products are eligible for the exemption, check out this helpful FAQ page, or you can call 800-304-3211.

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Ohio’s Tax Holiday

Regardless of whether you are a parent with younger children, a student, a teacher, or maybe just someone who wants to stock up on a ridiculously large supply of colored pencils and glue, by the time you buy everything you need for that first day of school, you (and your bank account) are drained. OK – maybe it’s really not that bad, but by the time you purchase new clothes and shoes, a book bag or two and all the items that go in it, you will have spent a large sum of money.

Fear not fellow Ohioans! The Department of Taxation is offering relief.

This year, for the first time ever, the State of Ohio is giving those who shop for clothing (priced at $75 or less per item), school supplies (priced at $20 or less per item) and school instructional material (priced at $20 or less per item) a break from paying sales tax beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7 and ending 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015. And there is no limit on the quantity of items you can purchase.

“As the new school year approaches, additional expenses can put a strain on family budgets, said Ohio Tax Commissioner in a news release. “The sales tax holiday will give back-to-school shoppers a break from paying sales tax, and let Ohio families save some money.”

The one-time tax holiday, which was enacted as a result of Senate Bill 243, also applies to eligible items purchased online, by mail, telephone or email. But to qualify, the order must be placed, paid for and accepted by the retailer for immediate shipment during the hours the tax holiday is in effect. That being said, actual delivery can occur following the tax exemption period.

Read on to learn five interesting facts about the upcoming tax holiday.

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Ohio’s Tax Holiday

Retailers cannot “opt out” of the 2015 Ohio Sales Tax Holiday event. The holiday is set by law, therefore all vendors must comply.

Qualifying items placed on, or picked up from, layaway during the sales tax holiday ARE exempt from sales tax.

During the sales tax holiday, all clothing that costs $75 or less is exempt from sales tax. So, obviously items such as shirts, pants, dresses, uniforms, shoes, coats, etc. are tax exempt; but items like receiving blankets, diapers, rubber pants and athletic supporters also made the cut.

While you won’t have to pay sales tax on your aprons, belts and beach capes, wigs, belt buckles and wetsuits are another story. Make sure to check the official web page for more clarification.

Teachers are also encouraged to take advantage of the holiday! In addition to traditional school supplies, the tax exemption is valid for reference books, maps, globes, textbooks and workbooks.